When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 581 - 559 Banifus’s Solemn and Righteousness

"Total destruction?!"

A broken cry echoed through the cathedral study in Feiliu Castle.

Whether Prince Kongdai anticipated it or not, Banifus certainly did not.

"More than 500 Extraordinary Knights, completely annihilated?" Banifus repeated Matteo's words.

"Yes."

"More than five hundred... Look at my hand, how many fingers? Five, five hundred!" Banifus stretched out five fingers, speaking incoherently, "Five hundred, five hundred Extraordinary Knights, gone?! Just like that?"

"Yes."

Matteo's face blurred before him, and Banifus' legs gave way, causing him to collapse onto the soft Royal Court carpet.

"Gone, all gone—"

Those weren't just ragtag guards or mercenaries, that was an Imperial Decree Camp!

300 valiant knights, more than 200 temple knights, and over two thousand guards.

You must know, there used to be nearly fifteen hundred temple knights in Feiliu Castle Church, but they've all been lost gradually in the successive battles of Thousand River Valley.

Now, Banifus barely had over five hundred temple knights left, and he had sent more than half to Ailard.

Only to have them wiped out by this defeated general, all at once.

There are still some two to three thousand guards and three to five hundred ordinary knights in Feiliu Castle, but of what use are they?

If even an Imperial Decree Camp couldn't defeat the enemy, how could these guards and ordinary knights possibly win?

Not to mention the Salvation Army; once the camp outside the city falls, the nearby Counts will be drawn in like wild dogs scenting dung.

Though the Counts have already lost knights in the High Castle and Rapids City wars,

they can still gather up to a hundred Extraordinary Knights and four to five hundred guards each.

Banifus sat on the ground, dazed, the room so quiet he could hear dust settling on the copper brazier.

"Sir Banifus, what do you think we should do next?"

Seeing Banifus remain silent, Matteo stepped forward to ask.

Banifus jolted, jumping to his feet.

Yes, what to do next? Continue defending the castle?

If an Imperial Decree Camp couldn't win, did he really think he could succeed with these remnants?

Imagining falling into Horn's hands made Banifus almost lose control.

Back then, he sent forces to besiege Horn in Gulag Monastery, even bringing Prince Kongdai along.

He pushed Horn onto a bloody path.

Later on, he led troops to Joan of Arc Castle, driving the Salvation Army into Black Bone Swamp, and even sent knights to the battle at Rapids City.

Banifus was practically the instigator.

Even Duke Constantine made Banifus the resident bishop largely because he would never compromise with the Salvation Army.

Other resident bishops might cave under pressure, but Banifus didn't have that option.

During the siege of Horn, he was smug, but now, he wished he could go back and slap himself.

Who would have thought that those ridiculous farmers could stir such commotion, even reaching Feiliu Castle?

In the early spring chill, Banifus paced back and forth a dozen times before deciding: "Matteo, I'm determined to defend the city to the death."

"Ah? Ah!" Matteo, who had been drowsy, suddenly perked up, "I thought you would… cough, cough…"

"Thought I would flee? Wouldn't that betray Duke Constantine's trust in me?" Banifus stared righteously at Matteo, "After the news spread, there were more calls in the city to surrender, correct?"

"To be honest, many cathedral priests suggested surrender, 'Endure temporary humiliation, wait for the royal army to return'." Matteo's eyes revealed disdain, "Bunch of weaklings."

Walking up to Matteo, Banifus spoke firmly: "Well said, Matteo, surrender without a fight—these people are spineless. We, the priests shepherding the lamb for the Holy Father, must have backbone!"

Matteo examined Banifus as if seeing him for the first time.

"How many men in Feiliu Castle do you think can be called real men?" Without waiting for Matteo to answer, Banifus eagerly patted his shoulder, "I reckon it's just you and me."

Matteo nodded: "Yes."

"Are you still 'Yes'?" Banifus forced a encouraging smile, "I'm afraid those surrendering priests will offer up Feiliu Castle, the glory of the Saint Master, so I plan to appoint you as the City Guard of Feiliu Castle to protect the honor of the Saint Master. How about it?"

Though inexplicable, thinking of those surrendering factions in the city, Matteo felt a sense of finding a kindred spirit, finally someone appreciated his integrity: "I will certainly not disgrace your orders and glory."

"Good, then you go announce and prepare for battle," Banifus gripped a smooth crucifix, "I intend to pray until dawn to seek the mercy of the Saint Master; do not disturb me no matter what happens before morning."

"As you command, Your Excellency Bishop." Eyes filled with tears of excitement, Matteo for the first time sincerely bowed and responded.

One hour later, a small long-tailed boat that could only accommodate seven or eight people hurriedly sailed out of the port of Feiliu Castle under the cover of night.

The boatman rowed the boat hard, with only a dim light under the wooden canopy.

Under this light, Banifus hugged a heavy small box, sat with legs apart in the boat cabin, taking occasional sips of grape wine.

"Still guarding the city? Guarding the city at a time like this?" Wiping the purple liquid from the corner of his mouth, he shook his head amusedly, "Truly ridiculous people doing ridiculous things."

The Salvation Army has already attacked; if you don't flee, what are you waiting for? Waiting to die?

Sadly, after years of effort, he had finally achieved the position of Village Hall Bishop and Metropolitan Cathedral Priest, and now it was all in vain.

However, fortunately, he had always been a foresighted person, having earned plenty of gold coins early on in the Blueblood Wine trade; he could now go back home and peacefully live as a wealthy gentleman.

The river water churned, the small boat rocked, Banifus, caught between fear for the future and helplessness over the situation, found his eyelids growing heavier with sleep.

"I'm going to nap for a bit; remember to wake me up when we reach the shore."

"Understood, Your Excellency Bishop." The boatman replied with the brim of his hat lowered.

The rocking boat was like a cradle, quickly lulling Banifus into a sleep as deep and peaceful as that of an infant.

In his dream, he would become a Cardinal for a while, then be denounced and imprisoned, and then, elected as Pope in prison.

But as soon as he ascended to the throne, he was dragged down by a group of Salvation Army soldiers.

He struggled and roared in anger, but was still hung on the gallows by the dark-cloaked demons, at the moment his feet left the ground...

"Ah—" He suddenly sat up, clutching his pounding heart as he looked at the gloomy boat cabin, letting out a breath of relief.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he lifted the canopy covering the boat and asked, "Where have we arrived?"

"We have reached Shuimi Town, Your Excellency Bishop."

"Oh, Shuimi Town... Shuimi Town!" Recognizing the houses behind the dock in the darkness, Banifus exclaimed in surprise and anger, "What are you doing? This is Shuimi Town! You've taken the wrong route."

On those orderly and disorderly red-roofed white-walled houses fluttered a dozen black and red bicolor banners in the thick night.

"No mistake, Master Bishop, we're here to deliver you."

"You, you dare betray me?" His lordship the Bishop was beyond furious, never expecting these long-time servants and guards to sell him out.

He randomly grabbed the black bread and salted fish on the table and charged at them shouting, "I'll kill you all!"

The response to his roar was a fist, the size of a crock, covered in hair.

At the moment the fist contacted the eye socket, Banifus only felt a sharp pain at the nose, and his face was flooded with bitterness, saltiness, and spiciness.

His last sentence before losing consciousness was: "Sorry, Lord Banifus, it's all the Count's people outside; the other bishops ordered us to do so."

......

Banifus was awakened by a splash of icy river water.

He was held by two soldiers, one on each side, the cold river breeze blowing through his thin silk robe, making the hair on his body stand on end.

"Long time no see, Bishop Banifus?"

His neck stiff, Banifus slowly lifted his head and saw at the dock the last person he wanted to see.

A young man dressed in a knee-length crisp military jacket, shiny leather boots, and a purple silk sash crossing from left shoulder to waist, standing with hands behind his back, with a faint smirk on his face. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Beside him was a girl with long black hair, her expression clearly filled with anger.

Although this was Banifus's first meeting, he immediately recognized who they were.

Demon Horn and Witch Jeanne.

"Urgh—"

With his face turning increasingly blue, Banifus rolled his eyes and fainted with fright.